Team One :: First Meeting

Kei stood outside village gates of Kumo. He was wearing training attire, sweats over more sweats, with his lightning bracelet on his left hand. The day was calm, clear and had a slight breeze. Clouds speckled the horizon, but the forest in front of the gates stood in the high sun. Kei was waiting for his new team, he had met a couple of his students before, but they wouldn't know that he would be their team leader.

Today was the big day. Zen would take the first step as a big boy in the ninja world.

He walked towards the village gates, sporting a rough-looking dark shirt, a blue scarf, and black ninja leggings. He was armed with his typical ninja equipment, including a katana wielded along his back. The light breeze blew across his spiky hair, causing his line of vision to waver for a second before focusing on the adult-like figure just outside the gates. He stopped three meters away, with a curious but blank look on his face. He remembered this fellow, for they just had a chat no longer than a day ago. Plus, there was no mistaking that trademark electric-like hair.

"Oi. You're that guy from yesterday. What are you doing here?"

Kenji walks out the village gates. He looks at the other boy, nods hello and then to the Raikage.

"Hello Kei. I was told you would be my sensei."

Kenji was Kei's cousin and a Raiken clan member as well.

"Hello, my name is Kenji," he says to the other genin.

He waves at Kenji, who seems to be around his age. It didn't take long for him to connect the dots.

"Ah. Does this mean I'm in your squad, too?" Zen asked Kei, for surely there two squads wouldn't be meeting at the same place on the same day.

(guessing it's Kei's turn now?)

Kei looks at both Genin and smiles. He noticed that they were the only two to show up. Good enough for him, he would make do with a small team rather than a normal 4 man squad.

"I was hoping for more, but this will do. Go ahead and introduce yourselves to one another. We have little time. We are going to Kusa for a tournament. Now."

Kei smiled and started walking towards the forest before them. They would follow and debrief with one another on the way.

This was all confusing and overwhelming to Zen. A Kusa tournament? What was happening in Kusa? He thought they were going to hit the training fields today. He didn't expect to travel out of the country.

"Eh?"

He followed quickly after Kei.

"I'm Zen by the way. Why are we heading there again?"

Kenji follows the Raikage.

"Hi Zen, I'm Kenji Raiken. I am curious about the tournament as well."

Kenji looks over to the Raikage as they run for an explanation.

Kei looked back to make sure the other two were keeping up. Seiya would be bringing the third Kumo Genin when he was ready, but for now Kei wanted to be on time, so he thought it best to bring these two. He was hoping for more time to train and prepare them, but if they really were the best Genin Kumo had to offer, then they would be fine.

"There is a tournament being held in Kusa. We are going to compete there against other Genin. While there, you will not get along with any Konoha Genin. You are not to be seen talking or affiliating with them in any way, shape, or form."

"Ohhh... I see. Wow, I'm glad I bought my stuff since I thought we'd be training or sparring. A real battle with other Genin... hey, if we win do we get to be Chunin?" Zen asked.

He thought about the village's competition against the other villages, and how representing his village's mighty force would not only add prestige to his name, but also help his village receive more clients for missions.

Kenji follows hastily.

"Chuunin? That would be cool. Hey Sensei, is that true?"

Kenji is excited about the prospect of fighting other Genin.

Kei laughed at the question. They really were eager to improve, and not at all scared at the prospect of fighting other Genin their first time away from the village. The third member of the team would be escorted by Seiya later. He was a late choice for the tournament, even later than these two.

"Probably not Chuunin, but I'm sure there will be some rewards!"

"Okay", Zen said. He wondered what rewards would be given out. He hoped they were substantial rewards since it was a world-wide Genin battle.

He turned to his pouches to see that his tools have been prepared beforehand. He grapped onto the handle of his katana to make sure that the blade was still there, otherwise he won't be able to fully transform.

Then he turned to Kei again.

"Are there gonna be any other Genin from Kumo there?"

Kenji sees Zen checking his pouches. He decides to do the same. He notices he has everything he needs.

"We should have one in Kumo. I'm sure we are much better than Kusa."

Kei looks back at the two Genin. He is trying to keep a serious face, but ends up laughing at the both of them. He wonders why he hadn't started training Genin when he was a Jounin. Perhaps because he was too young and naive. He didn't have the burdens he did now, burdens that caused him to grow up fast.

"There will be one other Genin arriving later. His name is Haru Hamasaki, and he will be part of our team. Other than him, it's just you two, so I expect a good showing. I've been watching both of you for some time. Kenji, if we have one in our village, I expect you to keep your thoughts to yourself."

Zen nodded at Kenji. He also agreed that they were more built and polished than the Kusa ninja.

"I'm guessing we are not to hold back in anyway? This tournament is a demonstration of each village's might, right?"

Kenji's face sours when Kei says he needs to keep his thoughts to himself.

"Zen agrees."

Kenji turns to Zen and holds a thumbs up.

"I want to fight to all out! I love fighting!"

Kenji slips and tumbles but gets back up and begins to sprint again laughing.

Kei sighs, these two may become more of a headache than he thought, but he was eager to get both of them to Kusa as quickly as possible. A few moments rest after such a long travel would do them both good.

"Both of you are to fight as hard as you can. Don't hold up, don't hold back. You represent the strength of Kumo while you are there."

Team one would arrive in Kusa later that night, tired and exhausted from travel. They would sleep outside the village, making a dramatic late entry the next day, as was Kei's style.

[End Thread]

After the tournament we will do some more as a team.